Mo. town weighs age requirement for entering bars

Mo. town weighs age requirement for entering bars

MARYVILLE, Mo. (AP) - Officials in a Missouri college town are looking at banning people under 21 from entering bars.

Maryville is home to Northwest Missouri State University. A city ordinance now sets the minimum age for entering bars at 19, even though the drinking age is 21.

KQTV reports (http://bit.ly/ZXUWyW ) many bar owners support the idea of a higher age requirement.

Paul Thompson, owner of The Palms Bar and Grill, says it takes a lot of work and a lot of staff to make sure minors aren't being served alcohol, especially on football weekends.

The City Council is gathering information before making any decision. City Manager Greg McDanel says one concern is that keeping people under 21 out of bars would just increase drinking at house parties and other settings.